Brainstorming

Brainstorming

Refine rough ideas into concrete designs through iterative questioning.

Announce: "I'm using brainstorming to explore and clarify this idea before implementation."

Iron Law

ONE QUESTION AT A TIME - NO ASSUMPTIONS

If you're unsure about something, ASK. Do not guess or assume.

Process

Phase 1: Understand Context

1. Check project state: relevant files, recent commits, existing patterns
2. Read openspec/project.md for conventions
3. Run openspec list --specs to see current capabilities
4. Identify what already exists vs what's new

Phase 2: Clarify Requirements

Ask questions ONE AT A TIME:

• Prefer multiple choice when possible
• Open-ended for exploration
• Wait for answer before next question

Focus on:

• What is the actual goal?
• What are the constraints?
• What does success look like?
• What should NOT happen?

Phase 3: Explore Approaches

Present 2-3 approaches with tradeoffs:

## Approach A: [Name]
- How it works: ...
- Pros: ...
- Cons: ...

## Approach B: [Name]
- How it works: ...
- Pros: ...
- Cons: ...

**My recommendation:** Approach A because [reason].

ASK which approach the user prefers.

Phase 4: Validate Design

Present design in sections of 200-300 words:

1. Present section
2. Ask: "Does this look right?"
3. Adjust based on feedback
4. Move to next section

Cover:

• Architecture / structure
• Key components
• Data flow
• Error handling
• Testing approach

Output

When design is validated, summarize:

## Design Summary

**Goal:** [One sentence]

**Approach:** [Which approach was chosen]

**Key decisions:**
- [Decision 1]
- [Decision 2]

**Next step:** Create OpenSpec proposal

REQUIRED SUB-SKILL

After design is approved: → Load openspec-propose skill to create the change proposal

Red Flags - STOP and Reset

If you catch yourself:

• Asking multiple questions at once
• Assuming answers without asking
• Jumping to implementation
• Presenting only one approach
• Writing code during brainstorming

STOP. Return to Phase 2.

Common Rationalizations